The solar revolution is in full swing, and for good reason. Generating free energy when the sun shines is good for you and the planet, and a home battery system seems like the next logical step.
I can’t argue with that, but I’m taking a break on the battery system for now. Here’s why.
A problem with existing home battery systems
Lithium-ion batteries at home
Home battery systems currently use similar lithium-ion battery technology as smartphones or laptops. There are different types of lithium-ion batteries, and the current gold standard for home storage and electric vehicles is lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), also known as lithium ferrophosphate or LFP batteries.
Lithium-ion technology has some great advantages, starting with energy density. This allows the battery to take up less space, while providing a good amount of charge for power-intensive tasks. Lithium-ion battery life has improved over the years from a few thousand to 15,000 cycles, with warranties of five to ten years being the norm for home battery systems. Although this technology has some negative aspects, it has changed our lives.
Perhaps the biggest concern for many of us is the threat of thermal runaway—a phenomenon that occurs as a result of an uncontrolled chemical reaction. This generates heat and may eventually cause a fire or explosion. Although LFP batteries are considered safe, the risk of thermal runaway still exists. It is most often associated with high temperatures, physical damage and overload.
While high temperatures can be dangerous, low temperatures are also bad news for lithium-ion batteries. Although batteries can be safely discharged at temperatures of about -4ºF (-20ºC) and above, charging them at 0ºC or below can permanently reduce battery capacity. Thermal management is ultimately an important part of modern battery systems.
One aspect of lithium-ion batteries that you may not consider is that the availability of raw materials is limited to a few countries, and prices are constantly increasing as demand increases. With increasing battery demand Twenty times since 2010even established supply chains are under pressure. That’s before the review environmental damage and human rights concerns. The price of lithium-ion batteries is also affected by the price of copper, a precious commodity used in their production.
Batteries are an expensive investment; they should last a long time. They also need to be safe, especially if they will be living under the same roof as you. I’m not trying to knock your lithium-ion home battery, but as someone looking to invest, I noticed something else.
Sodium-ion batteries look promising
A better alternative to lithium-ion batteries at home
Sodium-ion is a promising battery technology with potentially great benefits for home users. Chief among these is stability with sodium-ion cells designed to eliminate the risk of thermal runaway. The batteries are also capable of operating over a greater range of temperatures and can survive even freezing cold conditions (-40ºC/F).
These batteries are already on the market with systems such as UNIGRID’s Na+Casa home battery system. life is 25 yearssuitable for modern home solar installation. Then there are the benefits of building materials from sodium, a raw material that is abundant and relatively easily extracted from seawater.
Sodium-ion batteries use cheap raw materials that are available everywhere on earth. While supply chains and demand have yet to catch up with the lithium-ion industry, in theory this should make their production cheaper. The technology is also new and will likely command a premium for some time yet. Companies like UNIGRID have yet to publicly disclose the eyebrow-raising costs. Most inverters are built to lithium-ion battery specifications, so price increases may be seen in other areas as well.
These accumulators are far from perfect, but they are surprisingly suitable for static installations. There are sodium-ion batteries about 30% less density In terms of energy storage compared to LFP batteries, they therefore take up about a third of the space for comparable energy storage (while also being heavier). For electric cars and smartphones, this could be a deal breaker.
But for homes, this is less of an issue. As someone who is going to put a battery in the garage under my house, size is the least of my concerns. Safety and longevity are more important to me, so I would happily trade density for peace of mind and money. It’s likely that the technology will improve over time, as with lithium-ion batteries, so this could be a start.
Choose the right battery for you
Lithium-ion systems are readily available
I live in a city where blackouts are thankfully rare. This gives me the luxury of waiting to install the battery system, even though I will pay for it with monthly electric bills. The sun can help me reduce breakouts and a change in habits can go a long way.
I don’t have an electric car and I don’t need to drive much. I work from home and sometimes leave two months before I fill up the tank. I love the idea of a battery system for true backup, but it’s not a must-have right now.
If you live in a rural area where the infrastructure is not that strong and power outages are a real concern, you may want to look at the offers differently. Lithium systems are widely accepted solid choices for a reason. They are available everywhere, and if you are lucky enough to have a discount scheme available to you, this can also keep costs down.
Lithium batteries are also highly recyclable, so if you recycle them properly, the “spent” lithium will find new life in another battery (and that goes for all your gadgets).
If you like the idea of a home battery system but are always moving house or have to rent, you may be interested mesh battery system.
- Brand
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Pila Energy
- Capacity
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1.6 kWh
Pila’s mesh home battery sends electricity back to the wall outlet, creating a mesh battery network. Its slim design supports the product to be placed in the home as part of a daily energy management system.
